On the Couch - #136 - MEX in conversation with Blue Lab Beats

Enjoy this exclusive interview on Cape Talk, from Thursday 30 May at 9pm with Grammy-winning duo, Blue Lab Beats. Context: "Few acts encapsulate the breadth of what’s been happening in London’s jazz and neo-soul worlds as well as Blue Lab Beats” - Loud & Quiet “Fresh innovation...the duo’s broadest statement yet” - CLASH “Their sound is a shining example of the youth-driven, boundary-breaking creativity that characterises the blossoming scene which is dominating the capital” - DUMMY Grammy winning duo Blue Lab Beats one of the fastest-rising production duos in the world right now have just released there fourth studio album, Blue Eclipse. The prodigiously talented duo who ended 2023 by selling out KOKO and picking up their second MOBO Nomination, got 2024 off to a stunning start with the sumptuous soul groove of their new single “Wait A While”, featuring Grammy-nominated Amber Navran, LA-based singer/producer, and founding member of Neo-Soul trio Moonchild, and rising UK Neo-soul artist Farah Audhal. Blue Eclipse heralds an exciting new era for Blue Lab Beats and the 12 songs reveal the depth and breadth of producer NK-OK, and multi-instrumentalist Mr DM’s musical ambition. Featured guests include Mercury Prize nominated Kojey Radical alongside Daley, on “Take Time”, IDK & Jay Prince on “Say Wow”, Amber & Farah on “Wait A While”, and Poppy Daniels on the title track. “We called this album Blue Eclipse as a nod to Blue Skies, our first EP. We wanted to embrace some themes and sounds that we’ve used throughout our career and make an album that truly represents us. Using sky titles acts as a reminder of people in our lives who inspired us and left a very important mark on us. We wanted to welcome old friends as well new ones onto this project and we are so happy with everyone’s amazing contributions.” Blue Lab Beats. Listen below Blue Eclipseopen.spotify.com Track-listing: 1.Never Doubt 2.Say Wow (feat. IDK, Jay Prince) 3.Rice & Peas (feat. Kyra, Bnny Hunna, Aidan) 4.Cherry Blossom (feat. Ben Jones & Parthenope) 5.Sky Paradise (interlude) 6.Wait A While (feat. Amber Navran, Farah Audhali) 7.Sunset In LA 8.Nights In Tokyo (feat. Kaidi) 9.Take Time (feat. Kojey Radical & Daley) 10.Guava (feat. Poppy Daniels, Richie Seivwright, Camilla George, Kaidi) 11.Blue Eclipse (feat. Poppy Daniels) 12.Brother (feat. Natalie Lindi) Starting out as bedroom producers, remixing tracks for A-listers such as Dua Lipa and Rag’N’Bone Man, on to supporting the likes of Roy Ayers and Thundercat, and producing on Kojey Radical’s ‘Reason To Smile’, Blue Lab Beats have been dreaming big from the beginning. Their 2018 debut album XOver, a brilliant blend of analog and electronic sounds, included the track ‘Pineapple’, which amassed over 10 million streams alone, while 2022’s ‘Motherland Journey’ proved a work of great musical ambition and imagination featuring vocals from the late great Fela Kuti, as well as one of a kind artists Tiana Major9, Ghetto Boy, Ego Ella May, Kofi Stone, and Pip Millet. The last two years have seen Blue Lab Beats emerge from the bedroom, and into the ears, minds and hearts of millions of music lovers with over 50 million streams, a GRAMMY for their production on Angelique Kidjo's 'Fired Up' track from her ‘Mother Nature’ LP, a Jazz FM Innovation Award and now two MOBO nominations. The pair also contributed the key track "Blow You Away" (Delilah) featuring Afrobeats artist Ghetto Boy, for the hugely acclaimed British film Rye Lane and also made their silver screen debut when they performed in the movie. Playing two electrifying sets at Glastonbury Festival in 2023, the Blue Note in Tokyo, Love Supreme in Japan , three shows at Jazzaladia Festival in Spain, a sold out show at the Royal Albert Hall’s Elgar Room, a support with Robert Glasper at Jazz A Vienne and straight on to both Montreux Jazz Festival and Montreal Jazz Festival before ending the year at the legendary KOKO for Global Soul Radio in December, Blue Lab Beats are showing no signs of slowing down.